​Now that winter has passed and the weather is getting warmer, well warmer in some places; the sunshine has potential to have a positive impact on our energy, motivation and general health and well being.

So, now is a good time to consider picking up the phone, texting friends and family or messaging an invite to catch up.

Social isolation and being disconnected from others exacerbates negative thinking and remaining stuck in depressive symptoms. Positive well being goes beyond the state of solely avoiding mental illness and well- being in itself is a highly contested concept and means different things to each of us; however the benefit of being with others; whether that be another human, a fury friend or other animal, socialising is opportunity for creating a sense of satisfaction in your own health and personal relationships.

Social September encourages us all to press pause in September - disconnect from our digital lives and reconnect with each other, and ourselves. The aim is to create spaces for face-to-face social connection, promoting positive mental health and well-being.

If you or someone you know are struggling with their emotions, isolating themselves and withdrawing from usual activities, reaching out and talking to someone will most likely help and for those supporting someone experiencing a difficult time; don't give up on them but you may also be impacted by caring for someone you love. More reason to be there for each other and or seek support.

Dementia is not considered as a disease but technically refers to a symptom associated with a decline of memory.

Dementia is an issue that affects many Australians.

Australia is mainly participating here by conducting activities around awareness and the challenges of dementia. There will be different events and activities throughout the country for the rest of the month.

I have a personal connection with dementia as my grandmother experienced dementia and at the time she was experiencing a decline in her memory and changes in behavior; I was around twenty and struggled with understanding the issue and seeing my Grandmother like this; I had memories of her as this strong and playful person to becoming confused, childlike, physically dependent on others and an overall sense of losing my grandmother while she was alive.

At that time, I did not have the resources, education an information to fully understand the issue; so I hope that the information provided in these links is useful to anyone with a significant person in their lives living with dementia.

]]>Tue, 20 Mar 2018 03:05:16 GMThttp://www.oranahealth.com.au/blog/today-is-world-social-work-day-2018​THIS IS A TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE & CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS PROFESSION

World Social Work Day is celebrated each year on the third Tuesday of each March. This year, it falls on Tuesday, 20th March 2018. World Social Work Day is when we celebrate and recognise social workers as champions for social justice, self-determination and human rights.

Social workers are skilled, knowledgeable and specialised in issues related to social and emotional well being. Working holistically with individuals, families and communities, social workers are passionate advocates for a fairer Australia.

Counselling generally refers to short-term consultations while psychotherapy typically refers to longer-term treatment and support. Counselling generally identifies and responds to present and current issues that may be easily resolved on the conscious level, whereas psychotherapy looks deeper. It is more intensive and extensive in exploring a person's psychological history. In other words, counselling is more focused with practical and/or immediate issues and outcomes while psychotherapy is more concerned with helping a person understand their life in a profound and reflective manner, and to develop insight and increase self awareness.

​Counselling usually assists a client to process strong emotions such as grief or anger, deal with immediate causes of stress and anxiety, clarify values and identify options when managing important personal or professional decisions, manage conflict within relationships, develop better interpersonal communication skills, or intentionally change unproductive thoughts and behaviors.

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is an evolutionary process that helps a personal look at long-standing attitudes, thoughts and behaviors that have resulted in the current quality of one's life and relationships. It is a process that goes much deeper to uncover root causes of problems, resulting in more dramatic or lasting changes in perspective regarding oneself, others and life experiences. The overall aim of psychotherapy is to facilitate a process that empowers the individual by freeing the person from the grip of unconscious triggers or impulses through increased self-awareness.

There are times during the course of treatment and support that both approaches are needed, depending on the individual and their personal goals, time and ability to access continuing sessions; to find out more discuss with your therapist or counsellor.

A common question I am asked as a counselor is about my qualifications and training.

​People often assume that I am a psychologist as opposed to a clinical social worker or accredited mental health social worker. So what's the difference?

Social Workers are not psychologists, we share some similarities and common training in providing care and treatment in mental health care and counselling but there are also differences.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) provides further details regarding psychology. The social work profession provides seeing and understanding the person(s) in context to their circumstances. The focus is not on pathologising problems.

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) describes social work as: Social Workers assess the social needs of individuals, families and groups, assist and empower people to develop and use the skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and further human well being and human rights, social justice and social development.

Some social work facts, social workers skill level requires a Bachelor degree or higher. Accredited mental health social workers are required to follow the AASW code of ethics, meet the AASSW practice standards and have significant work experience in mental health or related field and maintain continuing professional development. Continuing Professional Development is how AASW members maintain, improve, broaden and develop their skills, knowledge and expertise. CPD is an ongoing process throughout a social worker’s career, informed by changing practice environment, professional domains, new evidence and community need.

Specific training in mental health and focused psychological strategies are a requirement for Accredited Mental Health Social Workers. Each individual counselor or therapist uses their experience and training in their area of interest that may vary from working with families, couples, individuals, communities, government or non-government and not for profit organisations and many other opportunities.

To learn more about the services provided by Orana Health Services, visit the website for further information, www.oranahealth.com.au.

So, it's 2018 and many people are working on New Year's Resolutions and Goals for this year.

This is a great start, however to make the most of these resolutions or goals; it's important that you are clear and honest with yourself.

Why am I am doing this and what do I want to achieve or gain?

What is the emotional connection to your New Year's Resolution or Goal for yourself?

It's important that you include personal meaning and something that is integral to the self and that you have an emotional attachment to the goal. This is especially important when motivation fluctuates.

Over the years as a counsellor, I have observed common themes and issues become evident and if I can summarize what is important to most people, it is achieving success in creating and having an experience of healthy, loving and harmonious relationships.

]]>Tue, 31 Oct 2017 03:24:06 GMThttp://www.oranahealth.com.au/blog/its-national-novel-month-in-november-learn-about-how-a-local-author-used-writing-a-novel-to-express-strong-emotionsNovember is national novel writing month and an opportunity to introduce you to the author of Ken's Quest - Cher Chidzey.

Cher has been through her own journey with anger and anxiety and has used novel writing to express her feelings.

Listen to this short video to understand the characters in the novel and to hear more; come along to the book launch and book reading on the 15th Nov - 6 -7.30pm at Robinson Reserve Neighbourhood House - 104A Reynard St, Coburg.